The mission of the Bay-Delta Office
(BDO) is to plan facilities and implement actions in the Sacramento-San
Joaquin Delta to improve water quality, water supply and reliability,
and the ecosystem. The Office develops and maintains computer simulation
models to analyze the effects of projects and actions proposed or undertaken
by the Department or other agencies.

The draft State Water Project Delivery Capability Report 2017 has been released. This report updates estimates of the current (2017) State Water Project delivery capability and incorporates all current regulatory requirements for SWP and CVP operations, including the biological opinions issued by the USFWS and the NMFS. Final document will incorporate public comments received by January 21st, 2018. Comments and questions can be emailed to Sina Darabzand at sina@water.ca.gov.

Printed copies are available upon request.

Requests for printed copies and any written comments can be sent to: California Department of Water ResourcesSWP Delivery Capability Report- Attn: Nikisa RayejP.O. Box 942836Sacramento, CA 94236-0001

Evaluation of Salinity Patterns and Effects of Tidal Flows and Temporary Barriers in South Delta Channels

This report presents detailed evaluations of the extensive tidal data (15-minute interval) in south Delta channels that has been routinely collected by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The data analysis suggests that both Paradise Cut and Sugar Cut (tidal sloughs) are likely sources of higher salinity water that mixes with Old River water. The report also identifies regulatory options and compares several physical alternatives that might be implemented to reduce the high salinity often measured at the Old River at Tracy Boulevard EC monitoring station.

The entire report can be accessed by clicking here (pdf download, 16.66 MB).

Estimates of Natural and Unimpaired Flows for the Central Valley of California: Water Years 1922-2014 (DRAFT)

This draft report summarizes estimates of "natural" and "unimpaired" flows for all areas in the Central Valley tributary to the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta for the period spanning water years 1922-2014. A major objective of this report is to clarify the conceptual differences between natural and unimpaired flows. This draft report contains the Department's first published estimates of natural flows in the Central Valley tributary to the Delta and builds upon a series of publications that chronicled the Department's efforts to update estimates of unimpaired flow as new hydrologic data became available. The draft report will be finalized by June 1, 2016.

The main part of the draft report separately can be accessed by clicking here (pdf download, 4 MB).

The appendices of draft report separately can be accessed by clicking here (pdf download, 7 MB).

SWP Delivery Capability Report

The final State Water Project Delivery Capability Report 2015 and Appendices have been released. This report updates estimates of the current (2015) and future (2035) State Water Project delivery capability and incorporates regulatory requirements for SWP and CVP operations in accordance with USFWS and NMFS biological opinions. Estimates of future capability also reflect potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Printed copies are available upon request.

DWR has released the December 2013 Phase I – Initial Findings and March 2015 Phase II – Recommended Solutions Report for Engineering Solutions to Further Reduce Diversion of Emigrating Juvenile Salmonids to the Interior and Southern Delta and Reduce Exposure to CVP and SWP Export Facilities prepared in response to the NMFS 2009 Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the Long-Term Operations of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, Reasonable and Prudent Alternative Action IV.1.3.

The Final State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report 2013 and Technical Addendum have been released. This report updates estimates of the current (2013) and future (2033) State Water Project delivery reliability and incorporates regulatory requirements for SWP and CVP operations in accordance with USFWS and NMFS biological opinions. Estimates of future reliability also reflect potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Printed copies are available upon request.

Errata: In Table 5-6 on page number 44, "Wet Periods" should be replaced by "Dry Periods", as indicated here.

The technical addendum can be accessed by clicking here (pdf download, 3 MB).

The suite of CalSim-II studies used in the State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report 2013 and Technical Addendum can be accessed by clicking here. (December 2014)

Stipulation Study Report Released

DWR has released the report titled “Stipulation Study: Steelhead Movement and Survival in the South Delta with Adaptive Management of Old and Middle River Flows”. This report documents results and conclusions of the 2012 Stipulation Study. The overarching objectives for this study were to evaluate the effects of Old and Middle River (OMR) flows on steelhead survival, migration rate, and migration direction; estimate route selection under different OMR flow conditions; and provide steelhead tag detection data that could be used to adaptively manage OMR flows. The full report is available here. (02/17/2014)

Copies of the above information is also available to the General Public at:
California Department of Water Resources
Attn: Kathleen Buchnoff
1416 Ninth Street, Room 252-17
Sacramento, CA 95814

Stipulation Study Report Released

DWR has released the report titled “Stipulation Study: Steelhead Movement and Survival in the South Delta with Adaptive Management of Old and Middle River Flows”. This report documents results and conclusions of the 2012 Stipulation Study. The overarching objectives for this study were to evaluate the effects of Old and Middle River (OMR) flows on steelhead survival, migration rate, and migration direction; estimate route selection under different OMR flow conditions; and provide steelhead tag detection data that could be used to adaptively manage OMR flows. The full report is available here. (02/17/2014)

SWP Delivery Reliability Report

The draft State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report 2013 and Technical Addendum have been released. This report updates estimates of the current (2013) and future (2033) State Water Project delivery reliability and incorporates regulatory requirements for SWP and CVP operations in accordance with USFWS and NMFS biological opinions. Estimates of future reliability also reflect potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Printed copies are available upon request.

DWR has released the “Draft Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration, (IS/MND) for the Clifton Court Forebay Fishing Facility Project” for public review. The proposed project consists of installing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant fishing pier, a boat dock, a restroom, two parking spaces, a trail and trail access. Also included in the project will be a staging area, a concrete pad and retaining wall, security fencing and gates, bicycle rack, equipment shed, and lighting and signage. The draft IS/MND can be accessed by clicking here (pdf download, 5 MB).

On February 1, 2013, DWR broke ground for the new Fish Science Building at Skinner Fish Facility in Byron. Management and staff from the Bay Delta Office, Division of Engineering, and Delta Field Division were present during the ground breaking event. The new facility will be used to tag and rear fish for studies to meet regulatory requirements for operation of the California State Water Project. The new facility also includes a storage warehouse that will house the tools and equipment needed to conduct the studies. Construction is scheduled for completion in late fall of 2013. Please click here to view the photos of the Fish Science Building groundbreaking ceremony. (02/12/2013)

DWR has released the “2011 Georgiana Slough Non-Physical Barrier Performance Evaluation Project Report”. This report documents results and conclusions of this study which evaluated use of a fish diversion technology at the junction of Georgiana Slough and the Sacramento River. This study suggests that use of this fish diversion technology can reduce the probability of juvenile Chinook salmon entrainment into Georgiana Slough by approximately two-thirds. The full report is available here. (09/28/2012)

SWP Delivery Reliability Report

The final State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report 2011 and Technical Addendum have been released. This report updates estimates of the current (2011) and future (2031) State Water Project delivery reliability and incorporates regulatory requirements for SWP and CVP operations in accordance with USFWS and NMFS biological opinions. Estimates of future reliability also reflect potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise. Printed copies are available upon request.

The technical addendum can be accessed by clicking here (pdf download, 3 MB).

The suite of CalSim-II studies used in the State Water Project Delivery Reliability Report 2011 and Technical Addendum can be accessed by clicking here. (07/18/2012)

Public Release of CalLite Model Version 2.00 -- A Central Valley Water Resources Management Screening Tool

The California Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are pleased to announce public release of CalLite model version 2.00 - a Central Valley Water Resources Management Screening Tool. Please click here for more information and download. If you have any questions, please contact Nazrul Islam at nislam@water.ca.gov or 916-653-8727. (10/17/2011)

Evaluation of Mortality and Injury
in a Fish Release Pipe Report Released

DWR has released the “Evaluation of Mortality and Injury in a Fish
Release Pipe”. This report documents results and conclusions of
a study spanning several years (2007-2008) to evaluate and quantify fish
mortality and injury at the State Water Project Fish Release Site at Horseshoe
Bend. The report provides baseline data and a series of recommendations
designed to improve existing release sites and guide the construction
of new release sites. The report is available for download by clicking
here.
(7/28/2010)

Release Site Predation Study Released

DWR has released the “Release Site Predation Study”. This
report documents results and conclusions of studies spanning several years
(2007-2008) to evaluate and quantify fish mortality at the state and federal
release sites for salvaged fish with an emphasis on the SWP Release Site
at Horseshoe Bend. The report provides baseline data and a series of recommendations
designed to improve existing release sites and guide the construction
of new release sites. The report is available for download by clicking
here.
(06/03/2010)

Low-flow Intake Technical Analysis
Report Released

DWR has released an initial assessment for analyzing the feasibility
and effectiveness of a low-flow screened intake to the Clifton Court Forebay
(Forebay). The “Low-flow Intake Technical Analysis” describes
conceptual alternatives for a low-flow screened intake to the Forebay
and identifies additional information required for any subsequent assessment
efforts. The report is available for download by clicking here.
(02/01/2010)